Melbourne, Feb 24 : Australian fast bowler Brett Lee announced his retirement from Test cricket in order to prolong his career in the shorter forms of the game, saying he wants to be part of the World Twenty20 and the ICC Cricket World Cup squads.

Lee said at a press conference on Wednesday that his body was no longer up to the rigours of Test cricket, but he hoped his decision to quit the Test arena would prolong his international career.

“Its not the finish or the end of me, I still a lot of cricket left in me. I’d love to be a part of the T20 World Cup and then further down the track next year, with my love of India, I would love to be a part of the 50-over one-day World Cup,” FOX Sports quoted Lee, as saying.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting showered praise on the paceman by saying that he would go down as “one of Australia’s great fast bowlers”.

Lee, Australia’s fourth-highest Test wicket-taker, with 310 wickets at 30.81 in 76 Tests, burst onto the Test scene in the summer of 1999-2000, making his debut against India in the Boxing Day Test.

He took 5-47 in the first innings and finishing with seven wickets for the match.

Lee said he was very honoured to have represented his country, and proud of what he had achieved in the Test arena.

“I am extremely proud to have played Test cricket for Australia. My reason for retiring from this form of the game is so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent my country in the other forms of the game,” he said.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland paid tribute to Lee and his outstanding efforts playing for the Australia over the past 10 years. (ANI)